Need advice: major "fork in the road" decision!

[ninlenn]

Hello everyone! I found this forum only last night, and have already been browsing through this education sub forum. I am in desperate need of some guidance/insight/advice.

Before I go into my particular question(s), I'll start with some info about myself. I'll try not to make it too lengthy.

 

I am a 23 year old female. I recently completed an A.A. degree from my community/state college (Dec. 2010) with a decent GPA (3.77). I took gen. ed. classes, completing the A.A.'s requirements with my major at that time: pre-nursing. I was exposed to the sciences in some of my nursing prerequisite courses: biology I, microbiology, anatomy/physiology I and II, and basic chemistry.

 

I applied to and was accepted into my local community college and uni's partnered bachelor in nursing program, and began this spring. I was quickly disappointed. My plans had included graduate school following the BSN to further my nursing education, giving me the opportunity to become either a nurse practitioner or do research within the profession. I had thought that the BSN would allow this foundation, since I had not decided on whether I wanted to practice clinically or focus on research. I found myself disappointed in the nursing program though, as it felt very much more like a vocational path and I found myself missing the days of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and microbiology. I excelled in the nursing coursework, even though I found it to be very dull and lacking in challenge and in the amount of thought required. So, I have left my nursing program and am no longer a nursing major.

 

After speaking with counselors at my university, they first assumed I was going to go pre-med. It is true that I hold a great interest in medicine and medical science in general. However, I will say that I did not enjoy the clinical aspect of nursing. I do not feel that I have had enough experience to be sure of this, but I did not enjoy what I was exposed to.

Another reason I left nursing was largely what defined nursing: that is, its focus is on the symptoms and patient response (real or actual). This left me feeling like I would forever feel rather helpless, and as if I would much rather focus on the causative agent, i.e. the disease.

This was further reason for my academic adviser to point me towards medicine...however...I just have this huge appreciation for science and research. I understand that physicians also often do research, but I feel as if most respect is due to these scientists, as physicians are only as useful and able as the science underneath them, allowing them to do what they do and understand it.

Yet another reason why I left nursing was the stress that I knew I would always be working with: the stress present when you are working with people in their worst hours who may be very ill. I felt like I would rather work in a career with further academic requirements, that required more education and more thought, and that was to some degree less stressful. I had thought nursing would be "exciting", in that new patients and symptoms would be seen everyday. But I started to see this 'excitement' as stress instead.

 

I feel as if, even should I finish my undergrad and apply and get accepted to med school, that I may wish I had pursued the PhD in a biomedical science, to strictly pursue research.

Although doctors are certainly not "helpless", in that they are able to treat and help the sick, it may be argued that they are against diseases with no treatment or no satisfactory treatment.

 

I would like to say something here, though: I am not so idealistic as to believe that should I go into medical research I will find cures, or even a single cure or treatment. I know I will be working with a team, and that I would probably only expect to find a piece of a puzzle. To me though, that is still wonderful and amazing.

 

On previous threads within the sub-forum, I read others offer the advice to follow your heart/desires by doing what you see as making a difference. If I did that at the most meaningful level for me, I would do medical research. However...here is what is hindering my decision:

 

1. Financial concerns: I am currently relying on federal aid (largely pell grant) for funding of my education. I have been recently applying to every scholarship for which I was qualified. I also already have student loans. I am a first generation college student (neither parent even attended college), and I must support myself in my academic endeavors. As I have left my previous major of nursing as a junior standing, I must be concerned with the pell grant running out of funding before I finish my undergrad. Furthermore, I will be setting myself back at least a year (with 3 years remaining rather than two) as I switch to a science major.

I understand fully that to later work in research in biomedical sciences, I will need the PhD. I have no idea how this would be funded.

 

2. Job aspects: I am concerned that I will not be able to find work after finishing an undergrad in the sciences. I have already declared my new major as microbiology and molecular biology. I have heard that work is not easy to come by with this undergrad (or with bio, etc.). I am worried that I may not be able to find work while I pursue my graduate studies.

In addition, I found this article last night: http://wuphys.wustl..../scientist.html

Katz, himself a physicist, attempts to deter others from pursuing the PhD and offers reasons. This was the first page of its kind I have seen, but it is concerning. I don't know whether his explanation would apply to the types of research I am looking at. I have been on many sites for medical research institutes online, and they seem to be actively recruiting PhDs. I am not sure what to think.

 

3. Chemistry: This is not a subject of hindrance but rather something that is discouraging me- I have not particularly enjoyed my chemistry courses so far. I was able to get an 'A' in my last chem course, but this has been the least interesting science to me so far. I understand that I would need to take the organic series and so forth, and this is doable. I don't see myself "loving it", though, in the way that I loved anatomy and physiology. I understand that chem is related to everything else, but I wonder how common or uncommon it is for a scientist to dislike a particular science in this way. I am already registered for my next chemistry course for this summer; this is not something that I am allowing to deter me. The subject may grow on me, and I'm going to be optimistic.

 

4. Lack of exposure: As mentioned above, I am a first generation college student. I was not raised in a particularly intellectual environment, and I lack any mentors or familiarity with those in the field I am considering. Family members question the usefulness of majoring in a science and raise eyebrows. My only exposure to 'working' in a lab has been in my science courses. However, now that I have transferred from my community college, I have many opportunities to gain some exposure to a research environment- my uni is big on research. So I have applied and been accepted to a brief program offered over the summer at my university to expose students to research and offer insight on grad school. This should be a great opportunity for me- I have to find out if I would enjoy the lab environment as a career. I fear making the same mistake made with nursing- i.e. no exposure beforehand resulting in wasted time and money.

 

The alternative: Before getting accepted into the nursing program, I had considering pursuing the nutrition and dietetics major to become a registered dietitian. I decided against this because I had a love of medical science and I thought nursing would capture my interests better than dietetics. I have learned that another uni in my state would accept almost all of my nursing prereqs and allow me to began my studies with dietetics as a junior. However, I would still be concerned with finding a job (first an internship) post graduation with this major, but more than that I would feel as if I was giving up on some deep interests of mine in science.

Even since beginning college my views on studying science and appreciation for it have shifted. The field is amazing in what it offers to us, in what it allows to be understood. It is like no other, it is literally awesome. I have been spending time reading up on Sagan, Dawkins, and others. Carl Sagan is particularly inspiring.

 

I realize I may not have written questions to be answered, per se, but any commentary, opinions (criticism is welcome), insight, advice, accounts of personal experiences, anything at all would be very much appreciated.

I have left my previous major and am not sure at all where I am standing now, or what I should do. I am not looking for someone to tell me what I should do, but I feel like I lack information/knowledge that is needed to make my decisions.

[boogieman]

I realize I may not have written questions to be answered, per se, but any commentary, opinions (criticism is welcome), insight, advice, accounts of personal experiences, anything at all would be very much appreciated.

I have left my previous major and am not sure at all where I am standing now, or what I should do. I am not looking for someone to tell me what I should do, but I feel like I lack information/knowledge that is needed to make my decisions.

 

Hi Ninlenn

Wrong forum, psychoanalysis was 3 doors back on the left. Career Guidance is two floors up, to the right of the elevators .

 

OK - Four stories here :

 

1. My dad knows a guy that studied (and practiced) pharmacy until the day HIS dad died, then gave it up and studied to be a veterinarian - his first love.

2. I (a civil engineer) know a civil engineer that has his Pharmaceutical Degree (first) hanging right next to his Engineering degree in his office - guess what carreer HIS dad forced him to pursue.

3. I studied with a guy that was a clerk on the railway for 9 years before he started studying Engineering => He was content with his station in life, it suited his abilities. It took him 12 years (compared to the normal 4 - he hit EVERY single subject THREE times to pass). Guess what?? His sister was a Doctor, his brother was a Lawyer, and his dad wanted to be able to say "My son - the Engineer.... etc." Hi dad has passed on and HE is now an unemployable Civil Engineer.

4. MY story => I "wanted" to be a Doctor (BIG push from my dad), decided to study pharmacy, did it part-time while conscripted for a 2-year stint in the army. Got severy wounded in combat and landed up in hospital for almost a year, got out and realized that I could NEVER spend 8-hours a day inside a building, went for Career Guidance and landed up in Civil Engineering providing services for the underprivileged => I am now as happy as a pig in Palestine and greet each dawn with a feeling of great anticipation.

 

Your story makes me wonder why you chose Nursing / Medical Sciences in the first place. Interlaced therein, there are enough references to lead me to believe that you are looking for a "Job", instead of looking for a "Career".

 

One's academic abilities (and IQ?) has got NOTHING to do with career-path decisions.

 

 

You are young enough to "Bread-Line", take the knock and find something that gives your life meaning. The alternative is waking up in 20 years time and hating the day ahead of you BEFORE you even get out of bed.

 

I think you are putting too much value on the "first generation" thing. Get yourself a good bottle of wine (or three?) and take an introspective look at your Needs, rather than your Wants (or your family/societies Wants, for that matter).

 

I am not looking for someone to tell me what I should do

 

Getting married will fix THAT quest very quickly - LOL

[CharonY]

I only read quickly over the post and may have missed some finer points, but I see no real problems here. One legitimate concern is that of what you want to do, assuming you have a PhD. There are basically two major aspects to it.

1) Research in academia: the only positions that are not on soft-money (i.e. grants) are tenure position. While you will be leading a group, your direct involvement in actual wet-bench research (if that is your goal) will be relatively small. Also, the competition is fierce (e.g. only 20% of all PhDs in academia are likely to get tenure). I suppose the link you provided will provide information on it.

 

2) I am far less familiar in industrial research, but from what I heard of colleagues they are not too many positions doing wet-bench research. The PhDs there are mostly in sales or have organizational duties (e.g. preparing paperwork for pre- and clinical studies).

 

Alternatives:

If you want to engage in research (and again, we are talking wet-lab here) setting yourself up as a technician may be a possibility. Microbiology and molecular biology would be more fitting in the biotechnological area, whereas in areas of drug development pharmacy or similar is preferred.

Also, pharmacists with PhD are often preferred by drug development/production companies are preferred over bio PhD.

 

Regarding financing, if you are accepted into a graduate program you can usually get financed by TAing or working on a funded projected.

 

Of course, there are no clear-cut rules and each individual path will look slightly different, but there are some common guidelines that one may want to look into.